Water treatment in Glasgow is vital to delivering safe, clean drinking water to homes and businesses across the city. Like the rest of Scotland and the UK, Glasgow has a strict water treatment process that maintains the highest water quality standards to protect public health. So, let’s break down how water treatment works in Glasgow and why it's so important for everyone.

Where does Glasgow’s water come from?

Glasgow's water comes from Loch Katrine, an 8-mile-long freshwater loch roughly 35 miles northwest of the city in the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. Owned by Scottish Water, Glasgow has relied on this water source for over 150 years thanks to its ability to provide a reliable supply of clean, soft water. 

Around 230m litres of water is delivered into Glasgow every day via two Victorian aqueducts, with its flow driven only by gravity. The Loch is also fed with additional water from nearby Loch Arklet and Glen Finglas Reservoir to keep its levels up. But, while the water is naturally pure, it still goes through a comprehensive treatment process to meet the required safety standards.

Key stages of water treatment in Glasgow

Water treatment in Glasgow involves six key stages, each designed to remove impurities and any potentially harmful microorganisms, bacteria, or contaminants. Here’s an overview of the typical water treatment process that makes the water safe and clean to drink.

1. Debris screening

The first stage of the water treatment process is screening, where larger debris, such as leaves, branches, twigs, and other natural materials, are removed. The water then passes through various filters to help remove smaller particles such as dirt and organic matter.

2. Aeration

Once the larger debris is removed, bad smells and carbon dioxide are also removed by aeration. The process oxidises metals such as iron and manganese, causing ‘insoluble precipitates’ that can be easily filtered out.

3. Clarification

After aeration, a chemical coagulant is added, causing a reaction with the water to create a loosely clumped mass of fine particles. As it settles on the surface, it takes suspended particles while trapping bacteria. The scum is then removed, leaving behind clarified water. 

4. Filtration

The clarified water now goes through a complete filtration process to remove any remaining particles that may be left behind. This is the final treatment stage before disinfection.

5. Disinfection

Having been used for over 100 years, chlorine is the most common disinfectant in water treatment. With a carefully controlled dose, the chlorine is a safe and reliable way to disinfect water and kill off potentially harmful bacteria without affecting people.

6. pH adjustment

Adjusting the water's pH levels means finding the right balance so it won’t be too acidic or too alkaline. These levels need to be controlled so they won't corrode or leave deposits on the water pipes or affect the taste of the tap water.

Pure-filtered water from Thirsty Work

But while the water treatment in Glasgow transforms the locally sourced water from Loch Katrine into safe drinking water, it still might not be quite to your taste. Even with the treatments, you might find that odd tastes and odours are still hanging around.

If you want a fast, local spring water delivery direct to your home or office in Glasgow, Thirsty Work offers a range of bottled water coolers with natural, pure-filtered spring water or mains-fed water coolers that have an advanced filtration system, helping eliminate even more impurities (including micro-plastics).

Call 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today and get your free quote, or start your no-obligation, 10-day free trial and set up your Glasgow home or office today with deliveries direct from Thirsty Work.